U.S. stock futures are edging mostly higher as market participants focus on tech stocks and corporate earnings; Honeywell (HON) announces a split of its automation, aerospace, and advanced materials divisions into three companies; Qualcomm (QCOM) shares are declining in premarket trading as its licensing revenue comes in below expectations; Eli Lilly (LLY) beats adjusted profit estimates but misses them on weight-loss drug sales; and investors are watching Amazon (AMZN) for signals on the retail sector ahead of its report later today. Here’s what investors need to know today.
1. US Stock Futures Edging Mostly Higher as Investors Await More Earnings
U.S. stock futures are edging mostly higher as investors await more corporate earnings. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures are ticking higher after gains from Nvidia (NVDA) pushed the blue chip index higher by 0.7% Wednesday. Nasdaq and S&P 500 are slightly higher and lower, respectively after posting modest gains yesterday. Bitcoin (BTCUSD) is up 2% to trade near $99,000. Yields on the 10-year Treasury note and oil futures are higher, while gold futures are little changed.
2. Conglomerate Honeywell to Split into Three Companies
Honeywell (HON) has announced it would move to split its Automation, Aerospace Technologies, and Advanced Materials divisions into three separate companies by the second half of 2026. Honeywell also reported fourth-quarter revenue and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) that beat Visible Alpha consensus estimates, but its GAAP profit came in short of expectations. Shares are down 1% in premarket trading.
3. Qualcomm Stock Falls as Licensing Revenue Comes Up Short of Estimates
Qualcomm (QCOM) shares are dropping by 4% in premarket trading after the chipmaker reported lower-than-expected licensing revenue despite posting record sales. The company reported a 17% year-over-year jump in revenue to $11.67 billion and profit of $3.18 billion, or $2.83 per share, both topping Visible Alpha estimates. But the revenue the company gets from licensing products to companies like Apple (AAPL) came in at $1.54 billion, a tick below estimates.
4. Eli Lilly Adjusted Profit Tops Estimates; Weight-Loss Drug Sales Fall Short
Eli Lilly (LLY) shares are about 1% higher in premarket trading after the drugmaker’s adjusted profit came in above estimates, despite reporting mostly worse-than-expected fourth-quarter results. The company reported net income of $4.41 billion, or $4.88 per share, on revenue of $13.53 billion, below Visible Alpha estimates. Adjusted EPS of $5.32 topped expectations of $5.11. Sales of the company’s blockbuster weight-loss drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound grew to $3.53 billion and $1.91 billion, respectively, below projections.
5. Amazon Expected to Report Strong Sales After Bell
Amazon (AMZN) is scheduled to report fourth-quarter results after markets close today, and the “Magnificent 7” member is expected to post strong sales following a record-breaking holiday shopping season. All 27 analysts covering the stock tracked by Visible Alpha have a “buy” or equivalent rating, giving it a consensus price target of $259, about 10% higher than Wednesday’s close. The tech titan is expected to report 10% year-over-year revenue growth, setting the stage for upcoming reports from other major retailers like Walmart (WMT), Costco (COST), and Target (TGT).